Stage Crew Article By Stephen Rehagen   On March 14, 15, 16, when Helias High School performed the play Pippin, audiences gathered in eager anticipation to watch the actors and actresses perform in the spotlight. What many patrons in the audience didn’t realize is that there was a willing group of volunteer students working around the theater to help showcase these actors’ talents. Without this group, there would be no curtains, no microphones, and no costumes. This group, the production staff and crew, ran the play flawlessly, transitioning from scene to scene to make the play as great as it was. This year the stage manager, the overall foreman of the crew, was Senior Tyler LePage. Seniors Megan Hickman and Allison Rieke ran stage right and stage left, respectively, while Senior Adam Roling was the important role of swing, “swinging” from side to side and helping with various tasks. Altogether, there were over thirty crew members performing different tasks, including working backstage, lighting, pulling ropes, and operating spotlights along with a sound and makeup crew.   Stage crew members each had personal reasons on why they joined the crew. Some wanted to be close to the stage, some wanted to meet new friends, and some wanted to have fun. Sophomore Kristen Diotte, a member of the backstage crew, stated that she joined stage crew because her friends advised her. She also said that stage crew had been a great experience and she would continue on the crew for the remainder of her time in high school. One thing is for certain: that each stage crew member thoroughly enjoyed his time around the play. Along with the crew, Mr. Ron Vossen’s theater stagecraft class, consisting of Helias students, designed the masterfully created set.  Also, the orchestra, comprised mainly of Helias students, sounded off the music that made the play exciting. In total, there were nearly as many crew members as there were actors, a great sign for the willingness of Helias students to help the play.  After the play there was only one thing for the crew to do: look forward to next year for another Helias presentation, Hello Dolly!